Algae Problem.....and others (1 Viewer)

[malira]

Then 2 ampules of Biodigest
Recommend to keep dosing 1 ampule per week or biweekly.

-Andre

Ok. I just got back in town. I've been in and out, mostly out, for 5 days.

Andre sometimes I need to think on things and read more to fully understand.

So the Biodigest, is suppose to help consume nitrates and phosphates. I'm trying to increase my phosphates and not have to dose nitrates.

So the biodigest is mainly for a more biodiversity?

My alk is dropping and my GHA is slightly decreasing. My cyano is blooming but I can deal with those. I just need to stop the dying. I lost a plate in 5 days. My space invaders seem to be stressed I may move them to my 10g. At least in there things aren't dying. The coraline in the back glass seems to be disappearing but the coraline on the rocks seem to be spreading. I plan on taking out all dead sps and do some cleaning.

Alk - 139/7.6.....a .8 drop in 5 days. I'll bring it back up to 8 over the next few days.

No3 is 2

I'll do more testing tonight.

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[malira]

More tests
Alk - 143/8.0
Ca - 410
Mg - 1300
K - 390ish
No3 - 2
PO4 - 000 using Hanna phosphate checker.
I even dosed 12 ml of phytofeast. Maybe I need more.

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[malira]

Hey Malira,

ASAP Corrective action,
I gave him 100 Reef Nutrition Phyto Feast, which contains quite good amounts of Po4 ;-)
That actually (50ml right away) made the water cloudy.

Then 2 ampules of Biodigest

Po4 consumption will be high in the beginning until the demand goes down from natural processes.

-Andre

Andre I dosed more phytofeast but when I tested (my lasthanna phosphate testing packet) it still came out zero. Do you have a recommendation on dosing amount? 125 total gallons.

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[malira]

You know what I just realized. The glass is staying pretty clean now a days. I have algae on the rocks but not the glass. Actually the algae on the rocks is receding.

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[PSXerholic]

Working on a few things and I get back to all that ;-)

 

[PSXerholic]

Malira,
long story short in addition to my txt messages.

The Po4 need to get introduced regular for a while nice and slowly to fill the demand from all the biological processes in the tank as well to fill the absorbing live rock.
This tank cooked for a while.

Every day 10ml - 15 ml while watching Po4 with the Phosphorus checker.
No3 to be kept an eye on, to avoid dropping of the nitrates.

Get the Biodigest in, seems controversial, true, but again this is for a shake in the bacterial population and diversity of strains.
There is not much known about the bacterial diversity yet in Reef tanks to normal public, but a bunch of theories after the studies started years back. Most useful info went into commercialization of bacterial products as it looks to me ;-(

Well, keep the continuous dosing of Phyto feast up and watch No3 while doing so.
Had a recent case similar to yours, and that tank just started last week to show detectable nitrates and phosphates. After 1,5 weeks of exhausting dosing and measuring.

-Andre

 

[malira]

Malira,
long story short in addition to my txt messages.

The Po4 need to get introduced regular for a while nice and slowly to fill the demand from all the biological processes in the tank as well to fill the absorbing live rock.
This tank cooked for a while.

Every day 10ml - 15 ml while watching Po4 with the Phosphorus checker.
No3 to be kept an eye on, to avoid dropping of the nitrates.

Get the Biodigest in, seems controversial, true, but again this is for a shake in the bacterial population and diversity of strains.
There is not much known about the bacterial diversity yet in Reef tanks to normal public, but a bunch of theories after the studies started years back. Most useful info went into commercialization of bacterial products as it looks to me ;-(

Well, keep the continuous dosing of Phyto feast up and watch No3 while doing so.
Had a recent case similar to yours, and that tank just started last week to show detectable nitrates and phosphates. After 1,5 weeks of exhausting dosing and measuring.

-Andre

Thanks for the plan of action.
I will be ordering a phosphorus checker next.

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[Mark L.]

Malira,

Another route you can take is to dose pure phosphorus. SeaChem makes a product for freshwater planted tanks. After talking to their "chemical guy" the sales woman did confirm it's pure phosphorus and won't hurt a reef tank. I've been using it with great success to keep my phosphates where they need to be. It takes VERY little so you may need 1-2 ml for a 125 gal. Cody and I split a bottle almost a year ago and I still have quite a bit.

 

[malira]

Malira,

Another route you can take is to dose pure phosphorus. SeaChem makes a product for freshwater planted tanks. After talking to their "chemical guy" the sales woman did confirm it's pure phosphorus and won't hurt a reef tank. I've been using it with great success to keep my phosphates where they need to be. It takes VERY little so you may need 1-2 ml for a 125 gal. Cody and I split a bottle almost a year ago and I still have quite a bit.

Thanks Mark. I'll look into it.

I wonder if there are benefits to the phytofeast so you kill 2 birds with 1 stone?

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[Mark L.]

Thanks Mark. I'll look into it.

I wonder if there are benefits to the phytofeast so you kill 2 birds with 1 stone?

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If you can increase your PO4 with Phyto then go that route as Andre says. I just couldn't elevate my level enough and keep it there with Phyto only. I would have to dose more than I was comfortable with and it gets expensive. I does about 4ml a week with this stuff in my 240 gal and my PO4 stays right where I need it.

 

[malira]

If you can increase your PO4 with Phyto then go that route as Andre says. I just couldn't elevate my level enough and keep it there with Phyto only. I would have to dose more than I was comfortable with and it gets expensive. I does about 4ml a week with this stuff in my 240 gal and my PO4 stays right where I need it.

Wow that's potent stuff. Where do you keep your P04 and No3?

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[Mark L.]

I shoot for .03 PO4 and 5 NO3.

 

[PSXerholic]

Malira,

never tried that Product but heard about the use of it from others for this purpose in Reef tanks.
The Reason I used the Phyto Feast is that you feed corals and can maintain Po4 with an official reef safe product (and D2 mini reported "elevated" Po4 from Phyto feast use, lol)
However, I have no objections to use that, it may does a better job, is cheaper and who knows.
THX Mark.

I have an even cheaper alternative, but that is too dangerous to talk about here and to use on a Reef tank..................

-Andre

 

[malira]

I will stick to phytofeast for now. My corals need all the food they can get. 2 birds, 1 stone.

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[PSXerholic]

I will stick to phytofeast for now. My corals need all the food they can get. 2 birds, 1 stone.

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Do you see better polyp extension when using the Phyto feast?

-Andre

 

[malira]

Do you see better polyp extension when using the Phyto feast?

-Andre

I've been adding when the lights are out and have not looked. I will add it when the lights are on and check today.

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[PSXerholic]

I've been adding when the lights are out and have not looked. I will add it when the lights are on and check today.

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Nah, use when the lights are off. just use a flashlight to see the PE.

-Andre

 

[malira]

Nah, use when the lights are off. just use a flashlight to see the PE.

-Andre

I need to add sand to the DT. Would it help, hurt or no effect to add live sand?

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[malira]

Biodigest came in.
As per Andre's instructions I triple dosed Biodigest last night and turned off skimmer. I am watching the Ph. It was 8 before water change. 8.2 after 20 gallon WC. Holding 8.0 this morning.
I am dosing 10 mls of phytofeast daily.
I had to dose nitrates yesterday.

After water change
dKH - 8.1
No3 - 3/4
PO4 - ? Buying today.

GHA going away.
Turf algae going away.
Dying corals stopped.
Cyano is spreading.


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[PSXerholic]

Malira,

looks good so far from a progress perspective.
Not too much headache about the Cyano or Spirulina at this point.
We try to ride it out.

This afternoon, you can turn the skimmer back on.
Dose Phyto feast and measure the Phosphates.

Try to figure out the required DIESEL brew dosage to maintain 1 - 2,5ppm No3.
That makes it easier to maintain an overall Redfield ratio while PO4 is momentarily difficult to raise.

-Andre